YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION

YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION

DID YOU KNOW THAT SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE?

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among American teenagers, claiming 4,000 lives a year?
• Suicide is grossly under-reported? The actual number of teen suicides could be four times higher than
official figures.
• Suicide is the cause of death for three to four times as many young males as females?
•Suicide is accomplished by violent means in both males and females?

WHY?

There is no single answer and causes of youth suicide are not fully understood. The following factors certainly contribute to youth suicide:

• Increase in multi-sources of stress impacting teens.
• Decrease in available sources of emotional support.
• Effects of severe depression.

MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth: People who talk about suicide don't commit suicide.
Fact: Four out of five people who commit suicide have previously voiced their intention to do so.

Myth: You must never say the word "suicide" to people you suspect may be suicidal.
Fact: Facing them with the word will not affect their decision one way or another. If a person is not suicidal, talking about suicide will not put the idea into his/her head. If he/she is suicidal, it gives him/her permission to talk about it.

Myth: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying.
Fact: Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying. They gamble with death, leaving it to others to save them.

Myth: Suicide is inherited.
Fact: Suicide is not a genetically inherited trait. It is a learned behavior.

Myth: All suicidal individuals are mentally ill.
Fact: Studies indicate that although extremely unhappy, suicidal people are not necessarily mentally ill.

WARNING SIGNS:

• Threats or talk about suicide
• Giving away things
• Decline in SCHOOL ATTENDANCE or PERFORMANCE
• Withdrawal from usual social contact
• Dramatic behavior changes
• Previous suicide attempts
• Preoccupation with death
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Recent move/loss
• Running away
• Depression: sadness, crying, helplessness, sleep and eating disturbances.

HERE'S WHAT NOT TO DO

• Don't ignore suicidal talk
• Don't make moral judgments
• Don't minimize the situation
• Don't offer easy solutions

Don't keep suicidal plans a secret. Keeping quiet could result in death. IT'S BETTER TO LOSE A FRIENDSHIP THAN TO LOSE A FRIEND!

HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

SHOW YOU CARE: Be willing to talk and share your own feelings.
BE HONEST: If you are worried or afraid of what your friend might do, say so.
GET HELP: Don't keep your friend's suicidal plan a secret.
LISTEN:
• Don't give advice or offer pat solutions.
• Ask the person how he/she feels and the reasons for his/her feelings.
• Discuss suicide openly and frankly.

Remember:
IT IS BETTER TO LOSE A FRIENDSHIP THAN TO LOSE A FRIEND!

• TELL AN ADULT YOU TRUST.
• KEEP TALKING UNTIL SOMEONE TAKES ACTION.

CONTACT:
SUICIDE AND CRISIS SERVICE IN YOUR AREA
FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY:

SAN JOSE (408) 279-3312
NORTH COUNTY (415) 494-8420
SOUTH COUNTY (408) 683-2482

YOUTH SUICIDE: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

| Ascent Foundation Homepage | Human Rights Index |

Last modified: November 17, 1998